Florida escapes freeze without significant citrus damage

Tuesday

ORLANDO -- Florida's citrus trees and fruit were in the clear after a cold scare overnight Tuesday, industry officials said.

Much of the state was under freeze warning, but there was no significant damage, said Rusty Wiygul, director of Florida Citrus Mutual's grower division, which represents farmers all over the state.

Wiygul said cloud cover helped keep temperatures up and preserve the trees.

"We did have some frost in some areas, but we don't think we have any major damage," Wiygul said. "It would be minimal at best. No fruit damage and no tree damage as of the industry as a whole. There could be pockets."

Five days of freezing temperatures in California this year caused an estimated $800 million damage to citrus. Florida's industry suffered catastrophic losses in several 1980s freezes.

Never miss a story

Choose the plan that's right for you.
Digital access or digital and print delivery.